Further information

Law Lords carried out the judicial work of the House of Lords until 30 July 2009. From 1 October 2009, the Supreme Court of the UK assumed jurisdiction on points of law for all civil law cases in the UK and all criminal cases in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The 12 Lords of Appeal in Ordinary – the Law Lords – became the first justices of the 12-member Supreme Court. They are disqualified from sitting or voting in the House of Lords. However, when they retire from the Supreme Court they can return to the House of Lords as full Members. Newly-appointed Justices of the Supreme Court will not have seats in the House of Lords.